Cross bearer



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CROSS BEAREVR Fil'ed April 3, 1928 2 Seets-Sheet l fnv/@ufff May 30, 1933. Y w. E. WWE wmosz CROSS BEARER Filed April 3, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 Pea-nad May 3o, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM E. WINE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO CROSS BEABER Application led April 3, 1928. Serial No. 267,040. 1

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in cross bearers for railway cars and has for one of its objects the proy vision of a cross bearer comprising 4a substantially unitary casting. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a cross bearer of truss form from end to'end.

e Another objectof the invention is to in- 1 tegrally provide the cross bearer with legs or arms adapted to be rigidly secured to adjacent side stakes intermediate the ends of the latter.

A further object of the invention consists in providing the cross bearer with means to which hopper sheets may Abe rigidly secured. A rimary feature of the invention consists 1n providing the cross bearer with up-l per and lower chord members and with upwardly extending diverging legs integrally formed with the upper chord member and adapted to be secured to car side stakes.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing the central portion of the cross '25 bearer with depending members adapted to be rigidl secured to opposite sidesof the car center si l.

A still further feature of the invention consists in forming the lower chord member of the cross bearer with means to which hopper sheets may be rigidly secured.

A still further feature of the invention consists in forming the cross bearer with top and bottom chord members which are con- 5 n'ected by diagonal strut members diverging upwardly from adjacent the central portion of the lower chord.

Other and more specifio'features of the invention residin in advantageous forms, combinations an relations o parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawin Figure 1 is a tional view o f a railway opper car, and cross bearer being in elevation.

Figure '2 is an enlarged fr mentary side elevational view of the cross arer.

m Figure 3 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Figure 2.

ragmenta transverse sec-` Figure 4 is a bottom view of the construction illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end View of the same construction.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6, Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7 7, Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8, Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a sectional View taken on line 9 9, Figure 2. Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates the box-like center sill structure comprising beam members 32 respectively provided with upper and lower flanges 33 an 34, the former being connected by a cover plate 9. The side sills of the car, des: ignated by the reference numeral 2, are pref erably formed withoppositely projecting upper and lower su stantially vertical flanges 35 and 36 respectively connected by an intermediate inclined web portion 37. The car sides may be advantageously formed by a plurality of sheets 23 respectively secured alon their lower edges to the upwardly projecting flanges 35 of the adjacent side sills. At their uppe edges the side sheets may be conveniently secured toside top rails 4 and the latter may, if desired,"be reinforced and strengthened by suitable shaped brackets 5.

The cross bearer, generally designated by the reference numeral 6, is preferably in the form of a truss having substantially horizontally disposedtop and bottom chord members 12 and 7 respectively. Each of these cord members is preferably of T-section having a top flange andastem or depending portion, the upper surface of the flange being 9 cambered as at 19 so as to shed portions of the lading as it is being discharged from the' car through the drop doors (not shown) in the bottom thereof.

The bottom vchord member 7 extends con- 95 tinuously from one side of the car to the other, while the top chord member 12 terminates inwardl of the car sides. Adjacent their extremities the chord members are connected by diagonally disposed strut members 10 11 which respectively converge upwardly from the outer ends of the lower chord. Intermediate their ends the chords are connected by a plurality of pairs of struts 13 and 14 respectively. The struts 14 diverge ldownwardly from the central portion of the upper chord'l? intersecting the'lwer' chord qu posite-'srdes of the'transverse axis-ofthe'eross bearer. upwardly from adjacent the ,points .of .inter section of the struts 14 with the'lower chord member to the points of intersectionofz the:- struts 11 with the-upper chord.

At its central portion the lower 'chord member is provided with a pocket 8 adapted to receive the center silll, the pocke't'being de fined by the centralportion "of the lower chord member, the lflange of which is prefer ably enlarged at this point asfat 15, and the spaced de ending walls or flanges 28 which are provi edv'with a'pluralityapertures 29 for receiving any suitable means such as rivets 'for rigidlyconn'ectingfthem to oppo site sides of the centersillflmmediately above' the centert'sill'th'e marginal edges of the enlarged portion15 of the flange of the lower chord'member is4 provided with downwardly depending portions 38 l which terminate in laterally projectingflanges 30. The depending portions 38 are, as will be seen from the drawings, triangularly shaped and serve as gussets to reinforce thedepending flanges 28. The flanges diverge downwardly from'adjacent the 'fiangeof the lower chordv to afford convenient'imeans for supporting hood sheetsulO which verlie the tfp cover plate ofthe center sill'to 'cause the la f ing within'th'e c ar to readily pass on opposite sides'of the sill as it is being discharged.

At 'its opposite. ends'lhthe` 'cross bearer is preferably integrally formed'with portions adapted to be'rigidly secured to the side sills. These end portions project oxifopposite sides of the stem` of the lower chord member and each is formed with a substantiallyl vertical portion 39 for attachment to the up'per flange 35 of the sill, an inclined -portin'aO' engageable with the Web'37 ofithsill vand a substantially vertical port'ior'illfllfo'r attachment t'the lower flange 36 ofthesill. From the foregoing it will be perceived that the cross bearer is integrally "formed with portions or flanges which-may be convenientl and rig- I i'dl secured to-th'e centersill an side sills.

' he-lower portion 'of thec'o'ss bearer may advantageously -f-.be integrally fashioned with means 'to which adjacentl'portions of the car hoppers, such as the sheets 25, may be secured. Thus, the end 'portions of the bearer are respectively provided with pairs of inwardly' projecting flanges 24;- while the depending c'entrally'disposed flanges 28 are respectively' provided with outwardly 'projectigpairs" o-,flang'esA 27. i'fThe flanges of -each of `-the`pairs divm'eige` downwardly from The struts 13 respectively-diverge- .jzcpezrsheets thereto... the sheets, of course, terthe stem of the lower chord member so as to respectively lie in planes parallel with the planes in which the adjacent portions of the lhopper sheets are disposed. Furthermore, the lportions of the stem of the lower chord member between the flanges 24 and 27 on eachjrsid'e of the centerfsillare formed .with a plurality ffapetures'QG'iforreceiving rivets .for attaching the marginal edges of the hopminating in substantially vertically disposed .flanges sajgllatftlieir connection with the lower chord member may be readily effected.

The-'lower ends of the cross bearer may be also conveniently formed with upwardly projecting flanges or pads 21 for connection to the inside side stakes 3. Although anyv particular form of side stake may be employed, that chosen for purposes of illustrating the invention is of bulb angle form', one leg of which is secured to the inner faces of the side sheets and the other leg of which projects inwardly into the car for attachment to the lcross bearer. Projecting from the portions or flanges 21 of the cross bearer on the sides thereof opposite to which the side stakes are secured are flanges 22, permitting directconnection between the side sheets 23 and the cross bearer.

In order to brace the sides of the car and to rigidly tie them to the cross bearer the latter is formed with upwardly projecting outwardly inclined legs or arms 17, the outer ends of which are formed with pads or flanges 18 to be rigidly secured to the adjacent side stakes at points above the to i of the cross bearer. These arms or legs 1 are arranged so as to constitute, in effect, continuations or prolongations of the strut members 13. The arms or legs 17 are preferably T-shape insection-and their flanges are preferably the same width .as the flanges of the top an`d bottom chord members. All of the strut members are advantageously formed with substantially vertical flanges disposed in the same plane as the stems or depending portions of the two chord members and arms and with flanges which project in the same direction and are of substantially the same width as the flanges of the chords and arms. Thus, it will be appreciated that since all of the vertical disposed flanges of the cross bearer are disposed in the'same plane they constitute continuations of 'each other, thereby providing the bearer with what, in effect', constitutes apertured web portions. To further rigidify the bearer the stems of the topy chord member and arms and practically all of the members which extend diagonally upward from the sides of the center sill, at which points it is subjected to the greatest loads, deformation of the bearer is effectively prevented. Furthermore, the bearer is so formed that not only does it serve as a rigid transverse load carrying member but also serves to brace and tie together the car sides.

Also by forming the bearer with integra-l means to which adjacent portions of the car hoppers may be attached a more rigid and economical car construction is produced.

l. A cross bearer for freight cars integrally formed with upwardly extending diverging legs adapted to be respectively secured to car side stakes.

2. A cross bearer of truss formation involving legs formed integrally therewith adapted to be respectively secured to car side stakes 1n a plane above the top of the truss.

3. A cross bearer of truss formation having upper and lower chord members and diagonal strut members, said top chord member being integrally formed with upwardly extending diverging legs adapted to be secured to car side stakes.

4. A cross bearer having V-shaped end portions, the apices of said end portions being connected by a substantially horizontally disv posed member', the extremities of said portions being adapted to be secured to car side stakes.

5. A cross bearer for freight cars having a pocket formed centrally thereof to receive a center sill inclined flanges on the opposite side walls of the pocket, inclined flanges at the outer ends of the cross bearer, and all of said, anges adapted to receive and support the upper ends of the hopper sheets.

6. A cross bearer for freight cars`comprising a regular truss, legs adapted to be connected at their outer ends to the side stakes of a freight car, and inclined flanges disposed along the lower edge of the truss member for supporting and securing the upper ends of the hopper sheets. v

7. A cross bearer for freight cars comprising a lower member, inclined members and top member, flanges along the lower member inclining from the said lower member at the opposite sides and said ianges adapted to secure hopper sheets. l

8. A cross bearer for freight cars comprising a central pocket adapted to fit over a center sill, inclined ianges on the side walls of the pocket, inclined flanges on the outer ends of the cross bearer, and hopper sheets secured to the said flanges.

9. A cross bearer of ribbed formation for freight cars, the opposite ends of the\,bearer being in the shape of four divergingVV legs, a bottom member having a pocket formed therein and supporting anges thereon, said legs adapted to be secured to the side stakes of a car and the anges adapted to be secured to the hopper sheets of a car.

10. A cross bearer for freight cars comprising a unitary structure throughout, said cross bearer arranged to be tied to the side and center sills and the side stakes of the car, and supporting flanges along the lower part of the cross bearer and extending at right angles to the axis of the bearer for supporting adjacent hopper sheets.

l1. A cross bearer for .a freight car comprising an integral structure provided with oppositely 'extending flanges to receive the upper ends of the hopper sheets, the said cross bearer provided with upwardly extending legs adapted to be secured to the side stakes of the car at points above the normal level of the cross bearer.

12. A cross bearer of ribbed formation comprising a plurality of triangles, the lower portion of the cross bearer provided with a pocket to receive a center sill, the outer ends of the cross bearer at its lower end conforming to the shape of the side sills, and means along the lower member of the cross bearer to receive the upper ends of the hopper sheets.

18. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, the lower portion of said bearer provided with depending members for attachnient to a center sill structure, said lower portion being adapted to receive and support hopper sheets.

14. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, the lower portion of said bearer provided with depending members for attachment to a center sill structure, said lower portion having a flange adapted to receive and support hopper sheets, said depending members provided with flanges for assisting in the support of the said hopper sheets.

15. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, the lower portion of said bearer provided with -depending members for attachmentto center sill structure, said lower portion being adapted to receive and support hopper sheets and means located between said depending members at opposite sides of the cross bearer for supporting centersill hood sheets.

16. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, the lower portion of said bearer provided with depending members for att-achment to a sill structure and provided with a portion adapted to support hopper sheets.

17. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, the lower portion of said bearer being provided with means for attachment to a sill structure, the outer ends of sai-d bearer being provided with means adapted to support the lower ends of side stakes and the top portion of said bearer being provided lower portion of s-aid bearer being provided with means for attachment to a cent-er sill structure, the outer lower ends of said bearer provided with means adapted to be secured to the lower ends of respective side stakes, an arm extending upwardly from each side of the bearer adapted to be secured to its respective side stake at a point spaced below the top end of said side stake.

19. A cross bearer of integral formation, the lower portion of said bearer vprovided with -depending members for attachment to a sill structure and further provided with portions adapted. to support hopper sheets, means on the opposite ends of the bearer adapted to be secured to the lower ends of oppositely positioned side stakes, arms respectively extending upwardly an-d outwardly from the bearer, and each adapted to be secured to its respective side stake at points substantially midway between the upper and lower end of the same.

20. A cross bearer of integral ribbed formation, provide-d with means on its lower portion for attachment to a center sill, further means on the lower portion of said cross bearer for supporting hopper sheets, the

y outer ends of said cross bearer adapted to be secured to and support side stakes, an upwardly extending arm on each side of the bearer and each adapted to be also secured to its side stake at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends of said side stake.

2l. A one-piece transverse load-carrying member for car bodies having diagonal strut memberswith their lower ends so disposed as to l-e over the 'si-des of the center sill in an assembled car body.

22. In car construction, a center sill, and aA one-piece-transverse load-carrying member having strut members extending diagonally upward from the sides of the sill.

23. In car construction, a center sill, and a. one-piece transverse load-carrying member having strut members extending diagonally upward from the sides of the sill to the top of the member.

24. In a car structure, a center sill, and a transverse load-carrying member having diagonal rstrut members extending from the bottom bar of the member to the top bar of the same, some of said struts having their lower ends connected to the bottom bar, immediately above the sides of the center sill. 2 5. A cross bearer for railway hopper cars adapted to be disposed above the car center sill, said bearer being of truss formation and being integrally formed with spaced depending flanges respectively adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the center sill, each of said flanges having portions for supportingly'cooperating with adjacent hopper sheets.

26. A cross bearer for railway hopper cars 'adapted to be disposed above the car center sill, said bearer being of truss formation and having end portions adapted to be respec tively secured to the car side sills, each of said end portions'having fianges for supportingly cooperating with adjacent hopper sheets.

27. In a railway hopper car, the combination with hopper sheets, of a cross bearer of truss formation having upper and lower chord members, said hopper sheets being secured to said lower chord member.

28. In a railwayhopper car, the combination with hopper sheets, of a cross bearer having a horizontally disposed member of substantially T-shape, said hopper sheets being secured to the stem of said T-shaped member.

l29. In a` railway hopper car, the combination with hopper sheets, of a cross bearer having a substantially horizontally disposed member and a plurality of downwardly inclined flanges, said hopper sheets being secured to' said member and flanges.

30. In a railway hopper car, the combination with a plurality of hopper sheets, of a cross bearer having a substantially horizontally disposed member and a plurality' of pairs of flanges, the flanges of each pair diverging downwardly and arranged on opposite sides of said member, the hopper sheets beingsecured to the said member and flanges.

3l. In a railway hopper car, the combination with a plurality of hopper sheets, of a cross bearer having a substantially horizontally disposed T-shaped member and a plurality of pairs of flanges, the flanges of each pair diverging downwardly from the stem of said T -shaped member, said hopper sheets being secured to said stem and flanges.

32. A cross bearer of truss formation involving top andbottom chord members, strut members converging upwardly from adjacent the outer ends of the bottom member, and legs diverging upwardly from adjacent the point of intersection of the strut members and top chord member for attachment to side stakes of the car.

33. A cross bearer of truss formation involving top and bottom chord members, strut volving top and bottom chord members, strut members converging upwardly from adjacent the ends of said bottom member, strut members diverging upwardly from the central portion of the bottom member, and strut members diverging downwardly from adjacent the central portion of the top member.

36. A cross bea-rer of truss formation involving top and bottom chord members, strut members converging upwardly from adjacent the ends of said bottom member, Aand strut members diverging upwardly from adstrut members diverging upwardly from adl jacent the central portion of the bottom member, said converging and diverging strut members respectively intersecting adjacent the extremities of the top chord member, and strut members diverging downwardly from adjacent the central portion of the top member, said last-named strut members respectively intersecting the bottom chord member adjacent the lower ends of said upwardly di-A verging strut members.

38. A cross bearer of truss formation involving top and bottom chord members, diagonal strut members, and means respectively constituting continuations of said strut members adapted to be secured to car i side stakes.

. 39. A cross bearerlof truss formation involving top and bottom chord members, and

`diagonally extending strut members, said cross bearer having means rigidly united thereto in substantial alinement with the strut members adapted to be secured to car side stakes.

40. A cross bearer for freight cars inte'- grally formed adjacent its lower central portion with laterally projecting anges adapted to supportingly cooperate with center sill hood sheets. j

41. A cross bearer-for railway freight cars integrally formed adjacent its lower central portlon with a substantially `rectangularly shaped portion, one pair of the opposite faces of said portion being formed to ^supportingly cooperate with center sill hood sheets and the other pair of the opposite faces of said portion beingadapted to be secured to the sides of the center sill.

42. A castmetal cross bearer for railway freight cars rigidly provided with upwardly divergi-ng legs for attachment to side stakes of the car.

43.' A crossbearer for railway freight cars involving top and bottom chord members, and legs rigid with said top chord member and divergmg upwardly therefrom for attachment to side stakes of the car.

44. A cross bearer for railway freight cars involving top and bottom chord members, strut 'members extending upwardly from the lower chord member to adjacent the l ends of the upper chord member, and legs` diverging upwardly from .adjacent the ends of the top chord member for attachment to side stakes of the car.

45. A cross bearer for railway freight cars involving top and bottom chord members, upwardly converging strut members connecting the extremities of the chord members, and legs diverging upwardly from adjacent the point of intersection of the top chord member and strut members for attachment to side stakes of the car.

46. A cast metal cross bearer for railway members, saidbottom chord member beingv of substantially T-shape and being integrally provided with depending members adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the center sill of the car, saidbottom chord and depending members being connected by a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally of the bearer.

47. A cross bearer for railway hopper cars having downwardly depending members adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the car center sill, each of said members having ly cooperating with a sheet of an adjacent hopper of thecar. j

48. A cross bearer for railway hopper cars having downwardly depending members adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the car center sill, each of said members being provided with a laterally projecting flange aving downwardly diverging portions, one of said portions being adapted to supportingly cooperate with an inclined floor sheet of one hopper of the car and the other of said portions being adapted to supportingly cooperate with an inclined floor sheet of an other hopper of the car.

49. A cross bearer for railway freight cars having end portions for attachment tothe Afreight cars involving top and bottom chord a laterally projecting portion for supporting-v sides of the car, each of said portions hav-x ing an inwardly extending part for` sup portingly cooperating with an inclined flool sheet of one of the hoppers of the car.

50. A cross bearer `for railway freight cars-having end portions for attachment to the sides of the car, each of said portions having an inwardly extending fiange provided with -downwardly diver ing portions, one of said diverging portions eing adaptedy to supportingly cooperate with an inclined floor sheet of one hopper of the car and the other of said diverging portions being adapted to` supportingly cooperate with an inclined ioor sheet of another hopper of the car.

j 51. A cast metal cross bearer for railway cars having end portions for attachment to the sides of the car,- each of said end por# tions being integrally formed withmeans for supportingly cooperating with an inclined floor sheet of one of the hoppers of the car.

52. A cross bearer for a railway hopper car, each end of the cross bearer being provided with laterally offset portions for attachment to the adjacent side sill of the car, and means rigid with each end of the cross bearer for supportingly cooperating with an inclined floor sheet of an adjacent` hopper ofthe car. s

53. A cross bearer for railway cars comprising top and bottom chord members, each end of the bottom chord member being integrally provided with a portion for attachment to an adjacent side sill of the car and aportion normal to said first-named portion for attachment to a side stake of the car. 54. A cross vbearer for railway cars comprising top and bottom chord members, each end of the bottom chord member being intcgrally provided with portions adapted to be respectively secured to a side sheet and to a side sill of the car and a portion normal to said first-named portions for attachment to a side stake of the car.

55. A cross bearer for railway cars comprising top and bottom chord members, each end of the bottom chord member being provided with a depending portion adapted to be rigidly secured to a side sill of the car.

56. A cross bearer for railway cars comprising top and bottom chord members, each end of the bottom chord member being provided with a depending portion adapted to be rigidly secured to a side sill of the car, said depending portions being respectively provided with inwardly projecting flanges for supportingly cooperating with inclined floor sheets of adjacent hoppers of the car. A 57. A cross bearer for railway cars comprising a body portion and upwardly extending arms, the uppervends of said arms being enlarged for attachment to side stakes of the car.

58. A cross bearer for railway cars com-y prising a body portion and upwardly extending arms, each of said arms being provided with a flange and an enlarged end portion for attachment to an adjacent side stake of the car.

59. A cross bearer for railway cars comprising a body portion and upwardly extending arms, said body portion involving top vand bottom chord members, the ends of said bottom chord members and arms being provided with portions adapted to be rigidly secured to side stakes of the car.

60. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of side sills each of which is provided with an inclined web and with Hanges projecting in opposite directions from the latter, of a transverse underframe member secured to the center sill and having end portions adjacent the side sills, each of said end portions being rigidly secured to the oppositely projecting ilanges of the side sill adjacent thereto. l

6l. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of side sills respectively having inclined webs and oppositely projecting substantiallyiver-tic'al-flanges, an underframe member secured to the center sill and having end portions respectively conforming to the cross sectional shape of the side sills, each of said end portions being rigidly secured to the vertical iianges of the adjacent side sill.

62. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of side sills each of which is provided with an inclined portion and a substantially vertical flange, a transverse underframe member secured to the center sill and having end portions respectively adjacent the. side sills, each of said end portions having an inclined portion contiguous to the inclined portion of the adjacent side sill and having a vertical portion secured to the vertical iiange of the latter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM E. WINE. 

